First She Had to Take a Ride on a Boat | 1957

[pbearsailor]

Thanks Tina and Jim.

If all goes well, we're planning to take Island Girl on the ferry trip to Lopez on Tuesday morning.

-steve

[pbearsailor]

Very early and dark on Tuesday morning we headed for Anacortes to make the 0930 ferry to Lopez Island where my trailer spent many of her years.
Fog in Anacortes soon gave way to nice warm and sunny skies as we made the forty minute trip to Lopez.

Even though we’ve sailed in the San Juan Islands for years, I’d not been on Lopez since around 1980 when I was touring on my bicycle. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is. Island Girl’s former home actually has shoreline on both the front and back of the property. We backed in behind Harold and Kathy’s motorhome, just a few feet from the water and surrounded by Douglas Fir and the distinctive Madrona tree, common in these islands.

Edith has her 94th birthday next month. I know she was excited to see her old trailer again, but I don’t think she could have been more excited than I was. Meeting her is really special to me. I know the trailer is just a collection of aluminum bits and pieces, but it was an important part of the lives of those who have used her before me. She’s taken great trips, served as a home (just as she’s doing now for Pam and me), and even for Harold and Kathy’s honeymoon.

Edith is a cat person, like me. My Brissy is not the first cat to travel in the trailer. She is adjusting well to the move from her sailboat, but it has been a huge change for a cat who has spent her life on a boat. She had a fun two days too, walking on her leash, just like Edith told me she had done with her Siamese cats. But Brissy was more than ready for a nap while waiting for the ferry for the return trip home this afternoon.



Those of us that love these old trailers really do so because of people. We love the old aluminum and the way it shines, but we feel a connection to the guys that put them together at the factory. And, we feel a connection to the people who have owned and used the trailers in the past. It is about aluminum, but it’s mostly about people. I feel so honored to have been able to make that special connection this week.

cheers,
steve

[TouringDan]

Steve

I have been looking forward to reading about your visit with the former owner. It was beautiful. I am glad you enjoyed it so much. Thank you.

Dan

[oh2bcarefree]

Steve,

You are very inspiring and your story is awesome. I love that Island Girl was able to "go back home" for a visit. You are wonderful to bring so much happiness to so many people.

Mike and I have a special fondness for the San Juan Islands, we spent our honeymoon there. Words really can't describe all the emotions one experiences when visiting. We hope to be back one day and meet you in person.

Tina

[HiHoAgRV]

Awesum post. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

[pbearsailor]

Thanks.

Some things are just meant to work out. Got home last night just before dark, got Pam and Brissy settled inside, set up the trailer, and within 15 minutes it was raining. Hasn't stopped raining since.

cheers,
steve

[Melody Ranch]

This is great! I have the same feeling now that I have when I finish a great book... set it aside, and rethink the story. Tell me more about the rain...(Robin in Texas.)

[mutcth]

That is a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it. It helps to remind us that as much as we get mired down in the "stuff" of Airstreaming, these trailers are owned (and admired, and restored, and enjoyed) by people.

Tom

[pbearsailor]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

This is great! I have the same feeling now that I have when I finish a great book... set it aside, and rethink the story. Tell me more about the rain...(Robin in Texas.)

I've been feeling your pain from the drought and the heat down there, Robin. Grew up in Texas. We've been the fortunate place this summer and fall, especially the last few weeks, but I suspect the rain is here now. If you're willing to come pick it up, we'll just give it to you.

-steve

[Chlyman]

Wow Steve! This is an amazing journey! I am inspired!!

Carolyn

[suzyq55]

Just finished reading your beautiful story. Tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing. What a inspiration you are. Please keep us posted on your and Pams' progress in life.

[pbearsailor]

Originally Posted by suzyq54

Just finished reading your beautiful story. Tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing. What a inspiration you are. Please keep us posted on your and Pams' progress in life.

Thanks, Suzyq. We've been pretty quiet in the thread lately. Pam isn't doing very well, but still smiles and that's worth everything. Really hadn't planned for the trailer to be a cold weather rig, but we're trying to stay ahead of the weather. Always nice and warm and comfy for Pam and I've been happy that everything in the trailer has worked just like I'd hoped it would.

With the help of the Hospice bath aide, we're even getting Pam's showers done in the tiny Caravanner bathroom.

cheers,
steve

[55-ArtStream]

Steve,
Sue and I want you to know what a pleasure it was to meet you, Pam, Bissy and of course your beautiful Island Girl. We have enjoyed watching the progress on Island Girl, and were delighted to see it all in person.
All the best, Spike & Sue

[pbearsailor]

Originally Posted by 55-ArtStream

Steve,
Sue and I want you to know what a pleasure it was to meet you, Pam, Bissy and of course your beautiful Island Girl. We have enjoyed watching the progress on Island Girl, and were delighted to see it all in person.
All the best, Spike & Sue

That was such a cool visit! I will make it over to Utah to see you guys someday. Nice to see another great old 50's Airstream in here next to ours in this sea of fifth wheels and motorhomes we live with.

Pam's caregiver Charlene was thrilled with that pair of pop rivet earrings from Sue. That was really appreciated.

Aren't these a couple of really cool trailers?

cheers,
steve

[oh2bcarefree]

Originally Posted by pbearsailor

That was such a cool visit! I will make it over to Utah to see you guys someday. Nice to see another great old 50's Airstream in here next to ours in this sea of fifth wheels and motorhomes we live with.

Pam's caregiver Charlene was thrilled with that pair of pop rivet earrings from Sue. That was really appreciated.

Aren't these a couple of really cool trailers?

cheers,
steve

Yes... they are WAY cool trailers!!

Pop rivet earrings??? I'm gonna need to check out their site now.

Glad to hear that you are having smiles from Pam and it's working out in the trailer. Sending good wishes your way!!!

Tina

[pbearsailor]

I've been planning to make a pullout pantry for quite awhile, but trailer work has slowed down a lot since we've been living in her, four and a half months now. Everything is still working well and we're coping with the cold ok. Fresh water is still coming in and gray and black water are continuing to go out. Pretty sure that's a good thing.

Anyway, the pantry fits into the old broom closet, the first part of the big curbside cabinet in Caravanners. A bottom slider worked the best and it came from Rockler, a little pricey but a perfect fit and very strong. There is a guide at the top fastened to a new shelf and I used simple one inch aluminum stock from the hardware store to fence in the sides of the pantry. The structure is very simple and made from hemlock. The original door faces the pantry.

Still have to come up with a solid latch for it when underway, but for now it's done enough to give me a bunch of food storage I didn't have before.

cheers,
steve

[slowmover]

Impressive.

[RankAm]

Steve, your recent photos of the pantry caused me to do some investigation on your furnace, the Dickinson Newport. I suspect that it is what I will install in my 56 Flying Cloud.

Any advice as to installation of that furnace? Did the chimney pipe and exhaust cap that came with the furnace work for you?

Thanks for a great (and inspiring) thread.

Hank

[oh2bcarefree]

Steve,

Wow - that is awesome! What a clever way to make that skinny closet super useful! I am impressed!

Tina

[55-ArtStream]

Steve, I see the Rockler web-site declairs this slider will hold 225 Pounds. How does it feel to you when it slides in and out when fully loaded?

Spike